Mid-term report card

The semester is almost halfway over, and for some studentathletes, their grades in classroom might not be equal to theirgrades on the field.

Here’s a look at the teams underway this fall that havecompeted in enough contests for me to calculate a mid-term report.Professor Bellaver is in the building.

Men’s and women’s crosscountry

Both teams are off to solid starts this season. On themen’s side, the Mustangs are ranked sixth in their region. Asa team, the Ponies have placed first, third and 23rd in the eventsthus far. Sophomore Soeren Linder is the Pony to watch early in theseason.

On the Women’s side the ladies are currently ranked fifthin the region. The Lady Mustangs have placed second twice and sixthonce in the early season events. As always, Karin van Rooyen ismaking a mark, however, freshman Rachael Collins is quickly makinga name for herself.

Grade B/B

Football

Not winning. In my mind if you can’t win, you can’tpass the class. Unfortunately, when you combine not winning withblown leads, questionable play calling and turnovers, bad canquickly turn to worse.

At the halfway mark, the goal has to be to get better.Quarterback Richard Bartel and the Mustang offense need to find arhythm that will give the defense a chance to catch its breath.

The boys still play for pride, and in my book, that is enough topass.

Grade D

Men’s soccer

The Mustangs have looked vulnerable on multiple occasions thisseason. The team has dropped from the national ranks, has beendefeated four times and was at the bottom of the conference tablefor the first time in years. Yet, the team has shown signs ofgreatness along with signs of complete despair. The talent might bethe strongest in years, but youth could be the downfall.

The turnaround should be just around the corner.

Grade C

Women’s soccer

Forget getting used to a new head coach. The Lady Mustangs arepicking up right where they left off last season. The play thisyear has been consistent. There has been no shortage of offensiveproduction. Kim Harvey is leading the charge with 19 goals in 14games.

The Mustangs are tops in the WAC and on a seven-game win streak.A couple injuries have caused some shifting, but the team continuesto roll.

Grade A

Men’s golf

Up and down, up and down. The golf team found a leader infreshman Colt Knost whom consistently finds the way to the top ofthe chart. However, the team finished fifth, 10th, 15th and fourthin this year’s events, leaving many questions to beanswered.

The young squad is composed of mostly underclassman and lacksexperience at the collegiate level. Individual efforts are present,but unfortunately, the game is a team sport.

Grade C+

Women’s golf

The squad is stacked with freshmen but is playing like a veteranteam. Freshman Laura Cross has led the way for the majority of theseason. Cross placed first in her first-ever collegiate event andnever looked back.

The Mustangs have already won a tournament this year. The ladieshave finished third on two occasions and placed 13th early in theyear. Only good things will come about when the remainder of theyouth develops.

Grade B+

Volleyball

This could possibly be the biggest surprise of the 2003 season,unless you ask the players or coaching staff.

After a slow start, the Lady Mustangs have blown the WAC out ofthe water. The Ponies are on a current 10-match win streak, withone of the top ranked defenses in the country. Jessica Mihmcontrols the offense, and the defensive back line has been steadyall year long.

Grade A

Final

The school year is steadily moving along and so are Mustangathletics. A number of the Pony teams are establishing nationalpotential, so look for some of them to make runs into postseasonplay.

Overall, Mustang athletics are dominant once again.